What a Box of Treats!!!!

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was Mom’s birthday.  I delivered her cards to her as usual (that is one of my most important jobs!).  She said I did really well.  It wasn’t until the third card that I even thought about ripping an envelope.  I was hoping for a treat, but then remembered that we were all out until the samples for review arrived.  Just then a delivery truck drove up.  Dad walked in carrying this HUGE  – I mean REALLY HUGE – box.  At first I thought that it was a gift for Mom, but then I could smell somethings, many things.  It was the box of premium dog food treats.  And did I tell you that it was HUGE!!

Mom opened it up and pulled three packages off the top.  Set them and the floor and let me choose which one I wanted to try first.  I smelled them all and then chose one called Paw Sticker by INU Treats, with natural turkey and carrots.   I bit into it and then dropped it.  It is sort of like a crunchy  pastry with a dry filling.  That sort of surprised me, but the flavor was great and I quickly finished it up.  Wow – I was really anxious to try the resst.  But Mom said I had to wait until bedtime.

For my bedtime snack Mom gave me a pumpkin and  banana mix fruitables  treat distributed by vetscience.   They are little biscuits shaped like flowers.  I ate the one – and then asked if I could just eat the whole bag.  (Mom of course said “No”.)  If that’s what I get to go to bed, I can hardly wait for tomorrow night.

Two for two!!

I'm hungry just wrting the review.

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

Grounded.

Dear Diary,

I feel like I’ve been grounded.  And I didn’t even do anything wrong.  My Mom and Dad told Pastor Jared that he could use Mom’s car for a couple of days, while his is being repaired.  Now, that was a nice thing for them to do.  But I’m not sure that they remembered that I’m only allowed in Dad’s car (because of its leather seats) in a real emergency.

I’m out of treats.  I always get a bedtime cookie.  ALWAYS – ever since I was a little puppy.  The treats that I’m going to review don’t get delivered until tomorrow.  Many times Mom has let me go to the store with her and then pick out my own treats.   I’d go today and just get one or two – you know to hold me over until the others get here.    I think that constitutes an emergency.   What do you think?

This is me looking sad - grounded.

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

Waiting for a Treat

Dear Diary,

I’ve been asked to review some dog treats.  (Read about “premium dog food” .)  I had to think about it before I said yes – right for about 1 second.

Actually I am sort of picky about treats.  I remember one day at agility class I was coming down the A frame (the big “climb it”  thing) when I found a little green dog bone that some other dog had left.  I stopped mid-obstacle to check it out.  Then I decide that the dog had been smart to leave it there.  It was really no kind of “pay check” at all. I have also been know to worry about cookies that Dad brings to me in the winter.  I need to keep hiding them in different places in the house.  I don’t really want them but I sure don’t want somebody else to get them.

I am ready and waiting, now.

I've even got a "bib" on.

I might not even bark at the delivery truck.

I don't want to scare him away this time.

 

How far away is Wisconsin anyway?

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

No Dignity for Dogs

Dear Diary,

Is there no dignity left for dogs?

I mean after all I do for Mom.    Like when I help her with the Pet Tech CPR and First Aid classes – everyone loves me.  But then she has to include pictures of the stuffed dog and tells everyone that I thought it  was REAL.  (See my entry from May 1)  And then she tells everyone that I spent two days  teaching classes at Chatopia, which is a shelter for CATS. (See my entry from Oct.20).   Those pictures were embarrassing enough.

But Mom has really done it this time.  Last night we had a birthday party here for Eliza.  (She is one of Mom and Dad’s  people grandchildren.)  She turned 3 ( not very old in people years).   I love Eliza – she likes to lead me around and pretend that I’m listening to her.  I love to sit beside her at the table (she is the most apt to drop food).  The theme of the party was Dora, somebody or other.  Whatever  – it made Eliza very happy.  Eliza’a older sister Evelyn had helped Mom and Dad pick out things for the party – like pink Dora party hats.   Sure every party should have hats.  Guess what – there was even a hat for me!  Ok I can be a good sport.  I even left the hat on for quite a while.  Everyone loved it.  “Take pictures!!”, Mom says.  So here I am – in a pink Dora birthday party hat. I just hope the other dogs at class don’t see this.  How could I  ever explain it?!   Oh well, what we do for those we love.

I didn’t even get cake or ice cream.  There is still some left.  Maybe tonight?!

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

“Jappe! Jappe!” (Yap! Yap! in French)

Dear Diary,

What a weekend!  Mom and I had two Pet Tech classes to do in Montreal, which is in Quebec, Canada.  The classes always start at 8am, so we had to drive up the day before (on Thursday).  It’s only about a 4 hour drive – unless you get there during the evening  rush hour and sit in traffic for an hour.  Oh well.

The classes were held at Animal Adoption Montreal, which is a private shelter for pure bred cats.  That’s right I said CATS! (Or CHATS! since we were in Montreal.)  There were about 12 of them living at Chatopia, where they get to just hang out in a home like setting, waiting for someone to adopt them.

So  on Friday , there I was ready to do my work at class – the only dog.  Cats like Archer – helped Mom keep her  place by sitting on her outline.

Archer

Other cats, like Lloyd, helped share the responsibility of doing the demos.  Actually, Lloyd fell asleep while his front leg was being bandaged.

Lloyd

I always get tired doing classes.  This time I had to do another even bigger class on Sat.   Maggie (who operates the shelter) brought her puppy Toddy to help on Sat.  Lots of people, Toddy, 12 cats, and me to help Mom.  WOW!!

I had to greet all the students. Everyone got to work with me – like I showed them how to find my pulse.  Then, I had to play with Toddy and show him how to be a demo dog – he did a great job.  Then, I had to be ok while kitties chased my leash, drank from my water bowl, slept on our stuffed demo dogs.   I had only thought that I was tired on Friday.  I could hardly wait to get back to the motel and go to sleep.

On Sunday we went for a long walk at Mount Royal Park, which occupies part of the mountain that lies in the midst of Montreal island, and includes the highest spot in the city.  Lots of nice people, other dogs, kids.  But all I had to do was pose for pictures.  A really beautiful place and a pretty day.

Me- Tucker - as an International Chien

It had been a great experience. But I was glad to get back in the car and head for home.

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

I’m a “Good Citizen”

Dear Diary,

We did it!  We did it!  Mom and I worked together to pass the  AKC Canine Good Citizen test.  I’ve been writing about it for weeks.  We have practiced and practiced.  Today was the Big Test!

I knew something was up.  Mom was pretty hyper all day.  And we just kept doing things.  We went to the post office and then shopping.  We went for a walk.  We played frisbee.  We did agility jumps.  Wow – it just kept going and going.

And then we went to the plaza where we practice.  We’ve done that often, but today Christina went with us.  (Christina is Mom’s grown-up person daughter and one of my VERY favorite people.)  We walked all along the plaza: Christina was ahead of us, behind us, walking toward us, walking past us , pushing a shopping cart, petting me, brushing me. And I had to behave through all of it.  Whew, I get tired out just thinking about it.  Well, after all of that I wasn’t into jumping or kissing or being goofy.  Just sitting calmly and walking calmly was fine.  Mom told me I was awesome.

Then we went to the test site.  It was held at the training center where I go all the time.  So that was no big deal – at least to me.  I could tell that Mom was nervous.  That made me a little concerned but I was pretty calm.  We did the test just like we’ve practiced.  When we were all done, Mom got these pieces of paper and started talking about new tags and patches and certificates.  She gave me a big hug.  She gave the examiner a big hug.  She was SOOOO happy.

We stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  After dinner we celebrated.  I had vanilla ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s – Vermont’s best.)  Mom had “Bear Claws” – serious chocolate ice cream. (No chocolate for me.)

Celebrating is a Good Thing

All done!

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

The Dog Who Delivers a Raccoon

Dear Diary,

It was finally a really nice day, so Mom and I went for a walk.  First, she put my Ruff Wear Approach Pack on me.  Sometimes I carry water for us.  Sometimes  she just has me wear my pack so the walk is more of  “a job“.

Today, I had a real job to do – I had to deliver a raccoon.  Well, no, not a live raccoon – a stuffed one.  You see, we have  neighbors (that’s where my friend Logan, a golden retriever, lives)  who run a theater  camp for children  in the summer.  They  needed a prop for the play they are doing, so Mom said they could used this toy raccoon.  Since they live just down the road, and since we were going for a walk anyway, I carried the raccoon in my pack.

Even though the raccoon didn’t seem to weigh very much, it made the pack lopsided.  Mom put a bottle of water in the other side and we were set to go.  We had an easy walk and Karen was very pleased that I brought her the raccoon.  (I did – well – just ok sitting still for her to take the special delivery out of the pack.)  Then I got to play with Logan!  Mom dumped the water of of the bottle so the pack wouldn’t be lopsided on the way home.

We were almost home when Mom tried something new.  She put the end of my leash in an open pouch of the pack.  So, I “walked myself” the rest of the way. Pretty cool.  I worked really hard staying right beside her.  (Of course, it helps that we live on such a quiet dirt road.  And Mom listened really carefully to make sure that nothing would startle me). The next set of lessons at class will be work off leash.  I don’t have any of my  leashes on when I’m  in the yard or  on B.o.B. (now that’s a really long story – from  before my time!). But I’m usually on a leash when we walk.  Mom said she was really proud of me.  I like to make her proud.

This is my pack.

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

The Words a Dog Knows

Dear Diary,

We dogs can learn lots of human words.  All dogs should know “sit”, “down”, “come”.  Sure  toys names – like “ball” or  “frisbee”.  Who knows “your blue shoe” or  “world”? Sure places like “bed” or “car”.  Who knows places like “barn” (well that’s pretty easy too) – how about “studio”?

And does anyone else know one of my favorites – “splash”?  It has rained so much this summer!  There is this great big puddle on the way to the studio and the horse pasture, where Mom and Dad have been fixing fence.  We had to go right by the puddle – I stopped but I didn’t go in until Mom said “OK splash”.  Then I jumped and ran back and forth thru it and sat down in it. What FUN.

Let me know some of the best words you know.

A Great Splash in Colorado - on our Trip (Read More on About)

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

Practice Test – Canine Good Citizen

Dear Diary,

We didn’t have a normal class tonight.  It was “dress rehearsal” for our Canine Good Citizen test in two weeks.  We had to do all 10 of the tests, just like for real.

Mom and I had really been working hard on our homework.    We went to two different plazas before class.  We did “Out for a Walk”,  “Walking through a Crowd”, “Sit, Down, and Staying in Place”, “Coming When Called”.  I’ve got those down.

I have a little trouble with “Distractions” – especially when the “distraction” is a UPS truck with the driver inside making SO MUCH rattling noise.  I mean, he really needed to be told to cut it out.  Good thing there won’t be a truck there for the test!

My biggest problem is with “Accepting a Friendly Stranger” and “Sitting Politely for Petting”.  I’ve known all along that this is my weak point.  I’m not “shy or resentful”.  I’m too friendly.  I want to say “Hi”.  The test name does imply that I’m to be polite, right.  Well, what’s not polite about shaking hands.  Mom and the evaluator are supposed to shake hands, so why shouldn’t I offer a paw as well.    I might get away with that IF can I just sit really still.

I know that I can’t get up and offer a really slurpy kiss.

Well, I’ve only got two more weeks to practice.  Hope I can do it.

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.

Home Again

Dear Diary,

I’m home! I’m home! I’m home! I’m home!

Mom and Dad had to go away last weekend.  Mom had wanted me to do extra school time with my trainer Nathan anyway, so she took me to 4 Paws on Fri. morning and I did “day school”, and then “stay and play” over the weekend and then “day school” again today.  I had an ok time.  I got to go downtown and go for a couple of hikes.  I got to make some new friends – I especially liked a Standard Poodle and a German Shepherd.  But I did worry about Mom.  I missed Dad, too, but I think he can take care of himself better.  Mom really relies on having me by her side.

I was just hanging out wondering about Mom when I heard her voice and then I saw her.  She was back!  She had come to take me home.  She wanted me to be good when she got me out of my crate, but I was just TOOO excited.  So instead of showing her how much I had improved while at school, I jumped and whined and whirled and twirled.  She finally had to use  “BAD”  to get me to settle down enough for her to put the leash on me.  Everybody laughed but I didn’t care.  I was Going Home!

When we finally got home, I ran all around the yard – everything was the same.  Then I went into the house and ran all around – everything was the same.

There is a people quote that says, “There’s nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.”  I agree with that but …

There is nothing like sleeping on your own bed!

Signed, Tucker (your blog host)
To read more about me go to The Sensible Dog.